Wes Anderson's latest project — which is fully stocked with an all-star cast and aesthetic splendor — is officially available to watch at home. An "absurdist delight," The Phoenician Scheme tells the tale of international intrigue, corruption, family dynamics, and knife-wielding nuns. It stars Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera, and features other heavy hitters like Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, and Scarlett Johansson.
The newest film from the Academy Award winner behind Asteroid City and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar landed in theaters at the end of May, but if you missed it on the big screen, you can officially rent, buy, or stream it. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch The Phoenician Scheme at home.
What is The Phoenician Scheme about?
Co-written by Anderson and Roman Coppola, The Phoenician Scheme follows Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), a wealthy, scheming businessman, as he reunites with his novitiate daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) and introduces her to the family business. He exposes her to his complicated Phoenician Scheme after he names her as his sole heir (though he has nine sons), and what follows is a cacophony of assassination attempts, eccentric characters, nightclub robberies, hand grenades, and...basketball? It's an espionage movie, but make it quirky and pastel.
Check out the official trailer below.
Is The Phoenician Scheme worth watching?
The latest from Wes Anderson took home a global haul of $37 million, making it his lowest-grossing film in nearly two decades. But box office numbers aren't really telling of whether a movie is worth the watch. The Phoenician Scheme currently holds a 78 percent critic rating and 70 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty solid, but ultimately can't compete with Anderson's most popular films (Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, etc.). Still, if you're an Anderson fan, it has all of the elements you've come to know and love, making it a worthwhile watch.
While some critics out of Cannes Film Festival dubbed The Phoenician Scheme one of his worst, Mashable's own reviewer couldn't relate. Instead, she called it a "charmingly hopeful tale about how even with our flaws we might find love, family, and salvation."
Read our full review of The Phoenician Scheme.
How to watch The Phoenician Scheme at home
There are a couple of different ways you can watch The Phoenician Scheme. You can buy it or rent it on digital for as low as $19.99, or you can stream it on Peacock. See the details below.
Buy or rent it on digital
The Phoenician Scheme is available as of July 8 to buy for $24.99 or rent for $19.99 at digital on-demand retailers. While saving a few bucks and opting for the rental option is tempting, just be aware that you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it instead, then it's yours to keep.
Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:
Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Stream it on Peacock
As a Focus Features film, The Phoenician Scheme will make its streaming debut on Peacock July 25. The digital-to-streaming arc of other recent Focus Features films (Nosferatu, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Black Bag) was a full month, meaning we're getting blessed with the latest Wes Anderson movie two weeks earlier than expected.
Don't have a Peacock subscription? You can sign up for as low as $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without. Before you get ahead of yourself, though, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.
The best Peacock streaming deals
Best Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription
The best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription deal. You'll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10 if you pay for a year upfront. While a monthly subscription with ads costs $7.99 per month (which adds up to $95.88), a yearly subscription will only run you $79.99 (which breaks down to about $6.67 per month). That's about 17% in total savings. For those who prefer an ad-free experience, you'll pay $139.99 per year (which breaks down to about $11.67 per month instead of $13.99).
Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts
Xfinity customers should check the eligibility details below before signing up for Peacock, as you might be able to score a subscription for free. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible for the deal, or you can head to Xfinity.com for more details.
Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.
NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.
New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.
Best Peacock deal for students: Save $5/month for one year
Students can get an entire year of Peacock Premium at a discounted rate of $2.99 per month instead of $7.99. That's a total of just $35.88 for the year. You'll need to verify your student status via SheerID and retrieve the unique promo code to unlock the savings. Just note that it can only be used once, and after the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price again.
Best Peacock deal for first responders: Save $4/month
First responders and medical professionals can secure a Peacock Premium subscription at a discounted rate of $3.99 per month by verifying their professional status via SheerID. Unlike the student deal, however, it's not limited to a year. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew the deal each year — although you may have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.
Best for active military and veterans: Save $4/month
Active duty U.S. military service members, Reservists, National Guard members, veterans, or U.S. military retirees can also get Peacock Premium for a discounted rate of $3.99 per month, so long as you can prove your military status using SheerID. Use the promotional code you receive after verification to activate the offer. Eligible military personnel who continue to meet requirements can redeem the deal annually.
Best for teachers: Save $4/month for one year
Educators who can verify their status on SheerID can get Peacock Premium for just $3.99 per month instead of $7.99 for a full year. Once the promotional period ends, you'll be charged full price, so be sure to cancel before the year is up.
Best for Instacart users: free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers
By signing up for Instacart+ ($99.99 per year), you'll unlock a free Peacock Premium subscription — on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. That's a $79.99 per year value tacked on to your Instacart+ subscription for free. Oh, and here's a pro tip: If you're new to Instacart+, you'll get a free two-week trial to test the waters. That means you can watch The Phoenician Scheme and plenty more for free. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged.
Best for JetBlue members: free Peacock Premium for one year for Mosaic status members
Through July 31, JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic status members can get their first year of Peacock Premium for free (a $79.99 value). If you don't have Mosaic status, you can earn 1,000 free TrueBlue points when you sign up for Peacock. Learn more about eligibility and terms over on Peacock's special offer page.
